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[Introduction by @sonotuttobene]
On the day after Halloween, Inter looked to have suffered more tricks than treats as they lost handily to the 20th place team in the league, Parma, 2-0. The Nerazzurri looked helpless and hapless against a Parma side that had lost six straight at home.
The managers of both teams, Walter Mazzarri and Roberto Donadoni, have both been under fire due to the recent results. The Parma manager looked to have kept his job safe for another week while Mazzarri teeters on the brink, despite the numerous "votes of confidence" given by the Inter management.
Inter, who are supposed to be vying for third place and the final Champions League spot, should have been able to take care of the wallowing Parma side without problems. Instead, the home side scored early, held possession, and looked like the squad from last season when they qualified for Europe.
Please click here for the Live Match Thread.
Lineups from the official Inter site:
PARMA: 83 Mirante; 15 Costa, 19 Felipe, 6 Lucarelli; 11 De Ceglie, 8 Mauri, 21 Lodi, 30 Acquah, 33 Rispoli; 99 Cassano, 88 Coda
Substitutes: 22 Iacobucci, 92 Coric, 4 Mendes, 5 Ghezzal, 13 Ristovski, 17 Palladino, 18 Gobbi, 27 Santacroce, 31 Mariga, 40 Sarr, 44 Jeraldino, 70 Lucas
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 23 Ranocchia, 15 Vidic, 5 Juan Jesus; 20 Obi, 10 Kovacic, 18 Medel, 17 Kuzmanovic, 22 Dodò; 8 Palacio, 9 Icardi
Substitutes: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 6 Andreolli, 25 Mbaye, 27 Gnoukouri, 28 Puscas, 29 Camara, 44 Krhin, 54 Donkor, 88 Hernanes, 97 Bonazzoli
Match Summary:
Mazzarri lined up in his usual 3-5-2 formation with Handanovic in goal; a three man defense of Ranocchia, Vidic, and Juan Jesus; a five man midfield of Obi, Kovacic, Medel, Kuzmanovic, and Dodo; and a strikeforce of Palacio and Icardi.
The game started out with both sides tentatively kicking the ball around, trying to assert their presence on the game. Although Parma was not playing in any spectacular fashion, they were able to take advantage of an early defensive mistake by Inter in the 5th minute of the game. Former Juventus man, De Ceglie converted a Rispoli cross to put the home side up over Inter, 1-0.
Inter dominated possession leaving Parma with only a handful of counterattacks. While the Nerazzurri possessed the ball more it was all for naught as the home side took the lead in the early moments of the match.
The visitors looked disorganized in both attack and defense. Overall it was a dismal first half for Inter and Mazzarri would need to take some drastic measures in order to salvage any positive result for the Nerazzurri.
Hernanes came in as a substitute in the 6th minute of the second half for Inter product, Obi. A slight knock had left Mazzarri no choice but to leave the Brazilian on the bench as a substitute as opposed to starting the match.
Inter had a couple of chances although none were truly threatening to the Parma defense. Kuzmanovic (15') and Palacio (23') both shot high above the goal in trying to equalize for the Nerazzurri.
The closest chance in trying to level the score came in the 24th minute when Kovacic hit the woodwork. The subsequent header by Ranocchia from a resulting corner kick was wide and off target.
Mazzarri tried a last ditch attempt to score by bringing in Primavera player, Bonazzoli for Kuzmanovic.
Former Inter player, Cassano shot towards goal but it was deflected. Unfortunately for Interisti, it was slotted to the back of the net by De Ceglie. In the 31th minute, Parma put the game away and De Ceglie scored a brace leaving no room for a Nerazzurri comeback.
Inter had 70% of ball possession. Although the Nerazzurri dominated the ball they only had one shot on target (and 13 off target). A fumbling offensive attack will not get the job done. Inter currently sit in ninth Serie A after ten matches played but considering that most of the league matches are scheduled for tomorrow, the Nerazzurri look to possibly fall to tenth of the table depending on what the results bring after all of the matches have been played.
These are trying times for Interisti with no relief in sight. Inter's next match up is St. Etienne on Thursday as the Nerazzurri travel away to the French outfit in the Europa League. The next league match up is against Hellas Veronas on November 9, who may be tied with Inter in points when they meet.
Parma 2-0 Inter
First half: De Ceglie (5')
Second half: De Ceglie (31')